Night World : Spellbinder Chapter 9

I he shoe was so incongruous that for an instant Thea impression her look must be playing tricks on her. It was the atmosp present here-the dim, echo room with all its macabre booths. If she styleed a sort and and so looked sanctionIt was quench there.I should check, I should call soul. This could be nigh subjugateg terrible. There be compassionate authorities I should at least wait for Eric.Thea found herself base in dreamlike, slow speed.She took the edge of the oilcloth between palpate and thumb and fail up it dear an inch or so.There was a leg committed to the shoe.A blue-jeaned leg. non part of a dummy. And another shoe.Horror and adrena railroad line washed oer Thea. And, strangely, that helped. Her first thought was. Its a person and she may be hurt. She went into emergency mode, slamming a surround between herself and her fear.Hang on, are you okay, well(p) let me seeShe pulled the rest of the oilcloth off, tugging to cleave it free. She dictum legs, a body, curled fingers clutching the sleeve of a dark-skinned-dressed witch dummyThen she saw the head and she reeled a bathroomthaward, some(prenominal) hands pressed over her mouth. Shed only gotten a glimpse, just the picture was burned into her mind.Blue-gray face, hideously swollen. Grotesquely bulging eyes. vernacular like a sausage protruding from between black lipsTheas knees gave out.Shed seen the drained before. Shed been to leave-taking ceremonies where the mortal remains of witches were returned to the earth. still those had been natural deaths, and the corpses had been peaceful. While thisI animadvert it was a boy. It had short haircloth and a flat chest. yet there was no way to recognize the face. It was so distorted-didnt even look human.He died violently. May his spirit be released not held here by the remove for revenge. Oh, Sekhmet, lion-headed goddess of Egypt Mistress of Death, Opener of Ways, Sekhmet Who Reduceth to SilenceHer disjointed thoughts were stop as sunlight fanned into the room. At the door, Eric shouted, Im hindquarterswardsThea stood up. Her legs involveed to undermine again. She opened her mouth, nevertheless what came out was a whisper. Eric-He was hurrying toward her. Whats misuse? Thea?Its somebody dead.She saw his eyes widen in absolute disbelief-and accordingly he looked past her. He took a step toward the thing on the floor, stopped, crouched, and stared for a second. Then he whirled back and grabbed her as if he could someways protect her from what hed seen. Dont look at it dont look over there, he gasped. Oh, God, its bad. * I k straight. I saw it. Its bad its so bad.They were both retentiveness on to each other. It was the only safety in this nightmare.Hes dead. That guy is dead, Eric give tongue to. It was obvious, besides Thea understood the need to babble. Theres nothing we can do for him. Oh, God, Thea, I think its Kevin Imamura.Kevin? Black dots danced in front of Theas eyes. No, it can t be-Ive seen him wearing that shirt before. And the hair And hes on the committee to decorate this place. He must brace been setting up that dummy. Theas mind showed her a terrible picture. A crusted dark line on that bloated face-like the wound make by a slashing razor. And the voiced black hair Yes, it could accept been Kevin. And that thinkt- Blaise.Come on, Eric was saying, his voice dazed and quenched. Weve got to reveal the office.Numbly, Thea let him guide her. Her mind was in another place.Blaise. Did Blaise know could Blaise ownShe didnt want to form the thought even to herself, but she couldnt help it. in the end g angiotensin-converting enzyme all the way? Not just spilled blood, but interpreted a life?It was forbidden to witches. except the Harmans were part lamia, and vampires sometimes pop uped for power. Could Blaise exact gone that far into the darkness?After they got to the office, things find outed fast, but Thea couldnt really draw back it in. Activity whirled or so her. The secretaries. The principal. The police. She was grateful for Eric, who kept telling the story over and over so she didnt have to.I need to find Blaise.They were back at the gym. The police were cordoning off the whole building with yellow tape. A throng of students and te yenrs was watching. Theas eyes skimmed the crowd, but she didnt see Blaise anywhere.Voices rose around her.I heard it was Kevin Imamura.Somebody said that guy from the dance came back and got him.Eric Eric, did you really see him?Then one voice outshouted the others. Hey, Mrs. Cheng, what somewhat the Halloween companionship? Is the gym gonna be open by then?The principal, who had been huddled with a couple of police officers, turned around. Black hair riffling over her eyebrow in the breeze, she addressed the entire crowd.I dont know what is going to happen with the gym. Theres been a tragedy, and now theres going to be an investigation. Well just have to wait and see what c omes of that. Now, I want everybody to go back to their classes. Teachers, please suck up your students back to your classrooms.I cant go back, Thea whispered. She and Eric were standing at a runty distance from the thinning crowd. Everyone seemed to have forgotten almost them.Ill take you home, Eric said immediately.No-I need to find Blaise. I have some things to ask her. She assay to make her stupefied brain work. Eric, I should have told you this before. Youve got to be careful.Of what?Of Blaise.He looked incredulous. Thea He glanced at the old gym. You cant think she had anything to do with-what happened to Kevin.I dont know. She could have had somebody do it-or make him do it himself. Thea kept her voice low. She looked uncoiled into Erics face, willing him to believe her. Eric, I know you dont understand, but its like I told you before. Shes like Aphrodite. Or Medea. She jokes when she destroys things. Especially when she gets mad and shes mad at you. wherefore?Because y ou picked me instead of her-because I like you- a lot of things. That doesnt matter. The point is that she may come later on you. She may try to seduce you. And-Thea glanced at the bobbing yellow tape contact the old gym-she may try to hurt you. So will you just be careful if you see her? Will you promise me that?Eric looked windblown and bewildered, but he nodded slowly. I promise.Then Ill see you later. We still have things to remonstrate about-but I have to find Blaise first.She walked toward the crowd, leaving Eric standing there in the wind. She knew he was watching her. .A waving hand caught Theas eye. It was Dani, her face right of sympathy and concern.Thea, are you all right?Sort of. Thea gave a laugh she didnt recognize. Have you seen Blaise around?Danis soft little hand crept into hers. She and Vivienne went home-I mean, to your place. Ill go back with you, if you want. You shouldnt be alone.Thea squeezed her hand. give thanks. Id appreciate it. She was grateful-and relieved that Dani didnt hate her. Dani-about the way I acted to begin withForget it. I dont know what I said, but I didnt mean to make you mad. She added gently, Thea, are you really okay? Really? Because I dont want to upset you more.why? And then What, Dani?Your grandmas sick. Thats why Blaise and Vivienne went home-Viviennes mom scalawagd her. Shes a healer-Viviennes mom, I mean-and I think shes taking your grandma to her house.Thea was disturbed. Gran hadnt locomote to Las Vegas for the same designer other Night People did. Lamia and made vampires came because so many of the humans here were transients-the kind that wouldnt be miss if they disappeared. Other witches came because of the power vortexes in the desert. But Gran had come because of the warm, teetotal climate. Her lungs had been bad since she was a kid. Please dont let it be serious, Thea kept thinking as Dani drove her home. She felt as if her skin had been rubbed too thin all over her body.When they got to the shop, Gran was already gone. Tobias and Vivienne were downstairs. Is she okay? Thea asked. Is it something bad? Not too bad, Tobias said. She just kept getting dizzy today, and then she had a coughing fit and couldnt stop. She finally decided by chance shed better get somebody to sing it out. So she called Ms. Morrigan.Oh, great-chanting. Just what Gran loved. But she must have been really sick to ask to have it through. Can I call her? I wouldnt, Vivienne put in. Her green eyes were kind, her voice reassuring. Im for certain Moms working on her by now, and when she does a singing, it takes all night. You shouldnt disturb them. But dont worry, Thea-my moms really good.Yes-its not that Im worried about. Thea looked around distractedly, finally coming back to Viviennes face. Did you hear about what happened at school?No. Vivienne looked mildly curious. What happened?alternatively of answering, Thea said, Wheres Blaise?Upstairs packing. Shes going to stay overnight at ray house. You can come, too-Thea?Thea was already racing up the stairs.She burst into the bedroom she and Blaise shared. Blaise had a flyspeck suitcase open on her bed.Thea didnt waste words. Did you kill Kevin Imamura?Blaise dropped a black silk teddy. Did I what? What are you talking about?Hes dead.And you thought I did it? Thanks a lot, but its not him I want to kill. Blaise narrowed her eyes and Thea felt cold. Then she tilted her head. So how did he die?He was strangled. Somebody murdered him.Blaise just raised her eyebrows and murmured, Hm. I wonder where randy is? She held a shirt up, considered it, and added, Do you want to come stay at Vivs with me? Its better than staying here by yourself.I dont know. Do I have to watch you to make sure Eric doesnt end up like Kevin?Blaise gave her a scorching look. When I go after a boy, I get him first. I dont strangle him before the fun begins.She slammed her suitcase closed and pedunculate out.Thea sit down on the bed.In spite of her sharp words, Thea now knew Blaise hadnt done it. Her cousin had been genuinely surprised.And Randy? I suppose it could have been, if he someway got out of wherever theyve taken him. He had a reason to hate Kevin. ButThe alternate explanation slid into place so chop-chop that Thea realized it must have been in her mind all along.The spirit.She sat there for an endless time, assay to think. It was like trying to find her way through a thick fog.Grans gone and if shes sick I cant retire her anyway of course, Blaise wont help but I need to trust somebody.Dani gently pushed the door open. Can I come in? When Thea nodded, she walked in and sat down on Blaises bed.They left. I told Tobias to go too-he had a young woman he wanted to see. Ill stay here tonight, if you want.Thea took a shaky breath. Thanks, Dani.Look, Thea, I dont want to pry, but are you okay? I mean, youre as unbalanced as a corpse- Dani bit her lip. Sorry, bad choice of words. But I am your friend, and if theres anything I can do, Id like to help.Another breath. Then Thea made her decision.I worked a forbidden spell.Dani looked shocked, but not appalled. Which one? label back the spirits.When Dani didnt scream or faint, Thea told the whole story. All about her summoning-everything leave out why shed been doing it. And now Im scared, she finished. I let something out yesterday, and today Kevin gets murdered. Blaise didnt kill him. She thinks Randy may be involved, but Thea shook her head.But, Thea, be logical. Why should it have anything to do with your spell? Danis rational voice was soothing. You let soul out, not something. The elders summon the ancestors all the time without anything bad happening. You just looking guilty because you know you werent supposed to be doing it.No. Dani, I cant rationalize it, but the thing I let out-it wasnt friendly. It knocked Blaise and me down. None of the spirits I saw the elders summon ever did that.Well Dani looked doubtful. But why would one of the ancesto rs went to murder a human?I dont know. Somehow talking about it had cleared Theas mind. She said slowly, But maybe the book would tell us. cardinal minutes later, they were sitting side by side on Theas bed, with the squeeze chest on the floor and the book between them.First, could you tell anything about the amulet that fell in the fire? Dani asked in scientific tones. Like, if the hair was gray, it could mean-The witch was old. Thea caught on immediately. No, it wasnt gray or white. It was dark-sort of like mahogany. She closed her eyes, trying to remember.It all happened so fast-but I think it was long. It was doubled up lots of times in the clay.So maybe a woman.Yes. Thea read for several(prenominal) minutes. Wait a minute. Look at this. Suzanne Blanchet, Dani read with difficulty. Bom sixteen cardinal in Esgavans on the day that they made bonfires for the peace between France and Spain. time-tested sixteen fifty-three at Ron-chain, prisoner at the court of Rieux. And try to the charges, Thea said grimly. Bewitching mens corn, killing cattle, bringing hunger into the country, and strangle babies at night with her long hair. Strangling, Dani breathed.She denied it, so they tortured her. Listen universe a little stretched on the rack, she screamed ceaselessly that she was not a witch, but organism more tightly stretched, said that it was true. And then they tortured her family, Dani said, her finger skimming the lines. Oh, Isis, look at this. She had a ten-year-old brother named Clement and a six-year-old sister named Lucienne. They tortured them both.And burned them. Thea had begun to tremble involuntarily. The room wasnt cold, but she had a feeling like ice deep inside her. Look. The children having been promised the mercy of being strangled before burning, but the executioner not having been paid, they were committed living to the flames. She couldnt finish. before the eyes of their sister, Dani whispered. She was shaking, too, and huddling cl ose to Thea. How could they do that?I dont know, Thea said flatly.I mean, no wonder Night World laws are so strict. No wonder we have to keep ourselves a secret-look at what they do to us when they find out. Thea swallowed-she didnt want to think about Night World rules. And then they burned Suzanne, she said quietly, keeping her eyes on the book. Being consigned to the fire, she verbalized several exclamations, crying out upon revenge. I would too, Dani said, her soft voice go with steel. Id come back and kill them.She stopped and she and Thea looked at each other.And maybe thats just what she did, Thea said slowly. Only she couldnt get to her torturers. But she found something that looked similar-a imitation torture chamber. And there was Kevin, doing something to a witch dummy-hanging it, maybe. Maybe treating it in some way that reminded her of Thea nodded toward the book. Anyway, doing something that made her lose it.And kill him. By strangling him-what shed been charge o f doing. Thea? Dani grimaced, then went on. When you saw Kevins body-was there anything around his neck?Thea stared at the window curtains, trying to remember. That awful bloated face the protruding tongue and dark bruises on the throat.No, she said softly. There were marks-but whatever strangled him was gone.She took it with her. Dani shivered, then put both hands on the book. Or maybe not. Look, Thea, this may make a great bonfire story, but, really, its all speculation.Thea was staring at the yellowed page beneath Danis fingers. I dont think so, she said quietly. See this symbol by Suzanne Blanchets name? I recognize it. I saw it for just a second-on the amulet in the fire. Youre sure?Thea looked away. Yeah. Its her, Dani. And its my fault. I let her out and now shes killing people. Because of me, somebodys dead.It was only when she said it that the full realization hit-as if forming the words had somehow made it true. Kevin was dead. He wasnt going to school anymore, he wasnt g oing to get a chance to repair his Porsche. He wouldnt ever smile at a girl again. Hed lost everything a person had to lose.And I just-I just feel so bad, Thea said. The ache in her throat rose up in a sort of spasm, as if she were going to be sick. But what came out was tears. Dani held her while she sobbed. And at last, when Thea was crying more quietly, she said, You didnt know. You didnt mean to do anything bad. You were just playing around and it went wrong. You didnt know.It doesnt matter. Thea wiped her face on her sleeve, sitting up. The ache in her chest was duller now, and she was slowly realizing that something else was there, something that felt hot and bright. A need to act.It doesnt matter, she said again. I still made it happen. But Ill tell you one thing-Im not going to let it keep happening. Ive got to stop her. Which means Ive got to send out her back.Im with you there, Dani said, her small jaw set in determination. But how?Thea stared at the wall a moment, then s aid, I have an idea.